CBA Portfolio Presentation
Developing and Presenting
Your Portfolio of Work
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Portfolio Development
o What is a portfolio?
o Why do I need a portfolio?
o How do I get started?
o What should I put in my portfolio?
o What type of portfolio is right for me?
o Where can I get a portfolio?
o How do I present my portfolio?
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What is a Portfolio?
o A portfolio is a showcase of your best work o An organized collection of samples that presents both your personal and professional achievements o Documents the scope and quality of your experience
© MARC USA 2013 – All Rights Reserved
Why Do I Need a Portfolio?
o A portfolio provides tangible evidence to an employer of your accomplishments, skills and abilities o An interview should be equal parts “show & tell”
• Your resume and letters of recommendation are your “tell”
• Your portfolio is your “show” o The job market is competitive
• A strong portfolio is a way to distinguish yourself
• Lacking a portfolio sends the message that you haven’t done any work that is relevant or worthy of being shown
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How Do I Get Started?
o Identify work to be included
• Internships
• Coursework
• Volunteer Work
• Organizations / Extracurricular
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How Do I Get Started?
o Choose pieces that will highlight your strengths
• Writing Ability
• Creativity
• Leadership
• Strategic Thinking
• Analytical Skills
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How Do I Get Started?
o Locate and organize pieces
• Contact former employers, supervisors to ask for samples if you don’t already have them
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What Should I Put in My Portfolio?
• Action Reports
• Advertisements
• Articles
• Backgrounders
• Booklets
• Brochures
• Case Studies
• Charts & Graphs
• Event Invitations
• Fact Sheets
• Flyers
• Media Alerts
• Media Clippings
• Media Plans
• Newsletters
• Packaging Samples
• Posters
• Presentations
• Press Kits
• Press Releases
• Proposals
• Research Topline Summaries
• Timelines
• Website Content / Layout
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What Type of Portfolio is Right for Me?
o Two standard portfolio types:
• Hard Copy
• Digital
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Hard Copy Portfolio Formats
o Spiral-Bound o 3-Ring Binder o Booklet o Oversize o Expanding File o Folio / Briefcase
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Hard Copy Portfolios
o Pros:
• Able to show pieces to actual size and scale (3D, die-cut, etc.)
• No additional file modification/resizing needed
• Employers can touch and feel samples during interview
• Easiest format to present in an interview setting
• Customizable – lots of options o Cons:
• Difficult to share with employers prior to the interview
• Not an effective “leave-behind”
• Easy to include too much information
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Digital Portfolio Formats
o PDF o PowerPoint / KeyNote o Apple iLife o Blog o Website o Portfolio Community Site (i.e. CarbonMade, Shown’d)
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Digital Portfolios
o Pros:
• Demonstrates aptitude with current technology
• Slow adoption – get ahead of the curve
• Convenient way to organize all your work in one place
• Allows employers to review your work before and after interviews o Cons:
• Requires a certain level of tech-savvy
• Time intensive to develop
• Requires electronic formats – file modifications often needed
• Difficult to present during an interview
• Has to be able to speak for itself
© MARC USA 2013 – All Rights Reserved
Where Can I Get a Portfolio?
o Hard Copy Portfolios
• Art Supply Stores
• Office Supply Stores
• Bookstores
• Levenger.com
/ FastPortfolio.com
o Digital Portfolios
• CarbonMade.com
( Example )
• Shownd.com
• Coroflot.com
• Issuu.com
• SquareSpace.com
Average Cost: $20 – $200+
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How Do I Present My Portfolio?
Before the Interview… o Prepare your portfolios, both hard copy and digital
• Acquire any samples you don’t already have
• Convert any file types necessary for digital portfolio o When applying for positions, include a link to your digital portfolio in your resume, cover letters and LinkedIn page
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How Do I Present My Portfolio?
During the Interview… o Bring your hard copy portfolio to the interview o After sharing your resume and answering any questions your interviewer may ask, offer to show your portfolio o Be brief but thorough in your explanation of samples
• Explain your role in the project
• Discuss leadership and teamwork, if applicable
• State results or feedback o Answer any questions the employer may have about your work
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How Do I Present My Portfolio?
After the Interview… o Offer to leave behind any samples the employer would like to review further
• Print-outs/CD of hard copy samples
• Link to your digital portfolio o Send your interviewer a thank-you note!
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Other Portfolio Tips
o Prepare in Advance
•
You never know when an interview opportunity will arise
• Your portfolio should reflect time and effort
• Research portfolio types and decide which one is right for you o Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!
• A great portfolio with typos is a failure
• Attention to detail is critical to employers o Get a Professional Opinion
• Ask an advisor, professor or former employer to critique your work
• Show as many people as possible
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Other Portfolio Tips
o Practice Your Presentation
•
Get your details right
• Only include the information that is most relevant
• Become comfortable with talking about your accomplishments o Give Credit Where it is Due
• Only claim work for which you were directly responsible
• If it was a group project, be sure to point out your areas of contribution o Only Show Your Best Work
• Your time to present your credentials is limited
• Choose projects that highlight the skills you can bring to the position
© MARC USA 2013 – All Rights Reserved
